Your home’s ductwork plays a major role in the air quality of your home, so it’s no surprise that keeping them clean is one of the most important home maintenance tasks you can do.
Indeed, a contaminated air duct may harbor mold, pollen, bacteria, dust, or residue from household products or chemicals. You and your family can develop allergies and suffer serious health hazards because of these. That’s why it’s vital to keep your ductwork free of contaminants.
Fortunately, all it takes is a few simple maintenance tasks to help your ducts stay cleaner for longer, reducing how often they need to be cleaned.
Is My Duct Contaminated?
Even with regular filter replacements, your HVAC system gets dirty with regular use, and air ducts are a favorite hiding spot for dirt and allergens. Dust and dirt contain contaminants and pollutants that not only damage your indoor air quality, but also increase system wear and tear. The result: you’ll be paying more for energy and will be reducing your duct system’s lifespan.
So how do you know your ducts need cleaning? Below are some telltale signs.
1. Dust All Over Grills
Grills are the vents in your walls through which air is blown to cool or heat your house.
A dusty grill indicates a dirty duct. To be sure, some dust on the grill is not something to worry about (although, even a small amount of dust should always be wiped down), but a constantly dusty grill can indicate that you’ll need to schedule a duct cleaning soon.
2. Sudden Allergies
Dust and debris that accumulate in your home’s HVAC system are a source of airborne particles that can trigger allergies and asthma. Those who have breathing problems or other health conditions can experience an increase in symptoms and difficulty breathing when dirty air ducts and air filters are present.
In short, if you or anyone in your house has allergies, keep an eye out — if they seem to start around a certain time every year and disappear again, they’re likely because of poor air quality from dirty air ducts.
3. A High Energy Bill
Tired of adjusting your thermostat constantly to get the right temperature? Your air ducts might need cleaning.
While several factors can lead to your heating and cooling ducts needing to be cleaned, the biggest one is dust and dirt that’s built-up overtime, which puts stress on your duct system, causing it to work inefficiently.
An inefficient duct system will require your blowers to run longer or your thermostat to be higher in order to maintain a comfortable temperature. So, if you experience a sudden increase in energy bills, it might be time to schedule a duct cleaning.
Tips For Preventing Duct Contamination
Keeping your air ducts clean through preventive maintenance is the best way to minimize contamination.
1. Use a Good Quality Air Filter
Make sure your air duct system is fitted with an efficient air filter — one that’s recommended by the manufacturer. Clean air filters remove stale air from your premises, reducing stale air. Change your air filters regularly, or hire a reliable air duct cleaner to regularly examine them and change them if necessary. Also, make sure your filter holder isn’t missing any filters so that air can escape.
2. Keep Ducts Clean Whenever Possible
When dirt, dust or debris builds up on your ducts, try to clean them right away. When your ducts are regularly cleaned, you’ll avoid major buildup. Use a damp cloth or duster to gently remove the debris. In the event that your ducts need professional cleaning, you can call us — we can assist.
3. Avoid Moisture Buildup
Don’t let moisture get into your ducts. This is because a moisture-free ductway won’t have the necessary conditions for mold growth. That’s why, taking care of any leaks in your air ducts as soon as you notice them is essential, as small leaks can quickly result in moisture inside ducts.
If your system has condensation or high relative humidity, mold can develop. The best thing you can do if you suspect mold issues is to have your air ducts examined by a reputable air duct cleaning company.
4. Dust and Vacuum Around The House
Dusting and vacuuming around your house are simple but effective ways to keep your air ducts clean. The more dust and dirt you remove from settled areas in your home, the less chance these contaminants will find their way into your ducts. So always remember: cleaning your house has the added benefit of keeping your air ducts cleaner and safer for you and your family.
5. Hire a Professional for Routine Maintenance
Your ducts will need to be thoroughly cleaned and assessed for any weaknesses or damage at some point. Indeed, postponing repairs can result in lower air quality and even compromise the structure of the ducts. For this, we recommend you hire a professional.
Duct Dusters provides affordable residential and commercial air duct cleaning. You can count on our team of air duct experts to get your ductwork cleaned fast and easy. Our HVAC technicians use modern equipment and proper procedures to clean your ducts safely and efficiently.
Final Thoughts
Over time, you can expect your ducts to develop problems. These problems include duct contamination, dust accumulation, leaks, and mold.
The best way to prevent these issues is to schedule a professional air duct cleaning service. Experts recommend having your ducts cleaned every two to three years to avoid many maintenance and health issues. Homes with pets or family members with allergies, however, should have their air ducts professionally cleaned more frequently.
At Duct Dusters, we use HEPA filtration and powerful vacuum systems to clean your ventilation system safely. Call us to schedule a cleaning!